Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/138

MR. PIPS HIS DIARY. do miſtake for Cobwebs, but ſome call Fungus, and, the Chymiſt, do tell me is moſtly Nitrate of Lime. The Cooper did lead us to the Wine we were to taſte, and pretty to ſee him tap the Barrel by boring a Hole in it with a Gimlet. We did drink, all round, a good Ale-glaſs each of excellent Sherry, all except ; and I did wonder to ſee him taſte the Wine, and call it rare good Stuff, and yet ſpit it out, but found by and by that he was wife. Next, to the London Dock; and did give us Biſcuit, and recommend us to eat, and I did take his advice, and glad I did. Here, more Curioſities in Mildew, hanging from the Roof; and one a Feſtoon as big as the great Sauſage in the Pork-Shop at the Corner of Bow Street. A good Story from the Cooper, of a Viſiter that would needs take a Specimen of the Mildew away, and put it in his Hat, and with the Moiſture of his Head, it melted and blackened his Face, and ſerved him right, that—like more than enough Sight-Seers—could not keep his Hands from Picking. To ſeveral Vaults, and taſted Wine in each; all very vaſt, but the Eaſt Vault the biggeſt, and do contain more thouſand Pipes, and cover more Acres than I doubt, by Reaſon of the Wine I drunk, I can remember. After traſting ſo much, our Party very jolly and noiſy, and did begin to dance and ſing, and flouriſh their Lamps like Playhouſe Devils; and methought I did ſee the Meaning of the Notice outſide, that Ladies could not be admitted after 1 o'Clock. Coming into the open Air, our Company could ſcarcely ſtand; and did ſee them into two Cabs, and I home on Foot—I fear not very ſtraight—and my Wife wondering at the Redneſs of my Noſe. Good Lack, to fee the Quantity of Goods and Wine in the Docks; and to think what a great and mighty Nation we are, and what Oceans of Liquor we do ſwill and guzzle!